The Seagull

Alan Cumming and Dianne Wiest, seated in center, portray the self-absorbed artists in Chekhov 'The Seagull,' mounted by the Classic Stage Company.

Dianne Wiest, actually, who is pretty damned dazzling as Arkadina, but not alone in an ensemble that seems to understand the capricious Russian soul.

Family and friends who orbit the magnetic Arkadina are all put through their respective comic paces before being allowed the touch of compassion that always transforms Chekhov’s characters into people worthy of your tears.